The first day on the clay
GBRf in Cornwall
Jon Hird, David Mathieson, Tony Shore & Sam Sheldwick
Wednesday 1st April 2026 was the first day of GB Railfreight working Cornish Clay trains on behalf of Imerys. The previous operator, DB Cargo, having removed their locomotive from the county the previous night.
Our first sight of GBRf hauling the Imerys china clay traffic. Early on 01.04.2026, 66787 passes Middleway, St. Blazey, with the 0645 Goonbarrow - Par Harbour, 6T53. The train was made up of 10 JIA's. The loco travelled to Cornwall from Eastleigh and had an overnight stop at Plymouth, arriving at Goonbarrow at around 6am on the 1st April. 01.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
I'm sure in time this sight will become normal, but for now, the sight of a GBRf loco hauling the JIA's in St. Blazey yard is quite a strange one. the train pauses on 'The Fowey Main' so that the loco can run round. 01.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The loco is uncoupled and begins to run round in St. Blazey yard. 01.04.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
The train is propelled back over the crossing into Par Harbour. 01.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
With the crossing gates closed, 66787 waits with the train whilst the GBRf staff receive instructions further back in the yard at the harbour. The train was here for quite some time. 01.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Within the harbour the 10 wagons are split into 3 shorter rakes so that they can be loaded one by one in the siding to the far left of this picture. 01.04.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
With all the wagons loaded, the train - now 6C53 - is able to form the 3 rakes of wagons back into 1 rake of 10 and depart for St. Blazey yard. 01.04.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66787 waiting at the road crossing at Par. 01.04.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
A couple of shots taken today of 6C53 15.19 Par Harbour to Exeter Riverside, hauled by 66787. RTT showed train as cancelled, but had actual timings about 45 early (?). In fact, the train went over the crossing at 13.40. 01.04.2026, copyright David Mathieson.
A couple of shots taken today of 6C53 15.19 Par Harbour to Exeter Riverside, hauled by 66787. RTT showed train as cancelled, but had actual timings about 45 early (?). In fact, the train went over the crossing at 13.40. 01.04.2026, copyright David Mathieson.
After running around in the yard once again, the locomotive is now on the same end of the train as we saw it on early in the morning. The Newquay unit has shuttled past on its way to Goonbarrow and 6C53 is now able to push back out of the yard to St. Blazey signal box before departing. 01.04.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Two newcomers to the Cornish Rail scene, a GWR class 175 at Par on a driver training run and 66787 with 6C53. Both wait to depart east. 01.04.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
175006 has set off for Plymouth and now 66787 is free to also depart Par with 6C53. 01.04.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66787 passes through Lostwithiel en route to Exeter Riverside. 01.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66787 crosses East Largin Viaduct with 6C53. 01.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Out with the old and in with the new. GBRf first day of operations on the Cornish clay traffic after taking over the Imerys contract. 66787 'Three Bridges ASC' heads out of Ivybridge at Palace Road Filham Bridge with the 6C53 15.19 Par Harbour - Exeter Riverside clay JIAs. 01.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks all. GBRf off to a good start - let's hope they can keep it up!
Newspaper Train
Paul Barlow
A shot of 31420 31279 passing the old incinerator at Grace road Exeter on the 0615 Plymouth to Old Oak Common newspapers empties (3A27) This also conveyed parcels to Reading. Just behind the back coach is now the site of the new Marsh Barton station. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul, all change at Marsh Barton.
April 1976
Part 2
Roger Winnen
D1030 Western Musketeer on the parcels approaching Camborne. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 45 at Pengegeon, Camborne. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1048 Western Lady on the Cornish Riviera at Dolcoath. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 47 arrives at Dolcoath to pick up the milk from Dolcoath Siding. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 47 arrives at Dolcoath to pick up the milk from Dolcoath Siding. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 47 arrives at Dolcoath to pick up the milk from Dolcoath Siding. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 47 arrives at Dolcoath to pick up the milk from Dolcoath Siding. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 47 arrives at Dolcoath to pick up the milk from Dolcoath Siding. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Departure of the milk from Dolcoath. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Various Multiple Units
Sam Sheldrick & Jon Hird
175114, the first three car 175 (I missed it Monday) in public service, on 2P16 passing through Lostwithiel. 01.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldwick.
800020 heads west over East Largin viaduct working the 1442 Plymouth - Penzance. 01.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
175006 crosses East Largin viaduct on a Plymouth - Plymouth via Par crew training run. 01.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks Sam. A bit of unit variety out there at the moment for those interested in such matters!
The final 'red' 6G09
Neil Phillips
The final (presumably...!) 6G09 working behind a DB Cargo Class 66 in sunny weather was worth turning up for on Tuesday, and a last chance for classic views of the train with 'red' haulage at Par station was seized!
The footbridge view always reminds me of photographing Class 47 1640 from here, coupled to the Par - Park Royal Freightliner very nearly 56 years ago (photo is on the site) - I believe this now Network Rail siding is still known as 'The Liner Siding' by some.....
The footbridge view always reminds me of photographing Class 47 1640 from here, coupled to the Par - Park Royal Freightliner very nearly 56 years ago (photo is on the site) - I believe this now Network Rail siding is still known as 'The Liner Siding' by some.....
66168 passes between Par signalbox and an articulated 'Stoneblower' in the Network Rail siding with the final DBC-hauled 6G09 12.32 Goonbarrow Jc - Fowey Dock Carne Point. 31.03.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
Classic elevated view of the motive power from Par station footbridge as 66168 waits for up IET 802002 on 2P13 to clear the section. 31.03.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
66168 gets its heavy train moving towards the main line. 31.03.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
A last chance for another classic Par view of 6G09's clay-whitened wagons departing with a red locomotive up front (unless GBRf have a red '66' amongst their more varied fleet!). 31.03.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks Neil - a couple of red locos amongst GBRf's lot (the Rail200 locomotives) - so never say never!